Drive to Survive (sort of)

Okay, not really. But it is a good song lyric. You can't help but finish the phrase and sing along.

The theme of this blog is 365 Days in Aspen. There's an implication in the title suggesting that I'm here for a limited time. The truth is, I don't know what's going to happen. I just knew I could only afford to stay for a year without worrying about survival. It was my gift to myself.

But that's the thing about falling in love. You don't want to be parted from your beloved. You'll do anything to work it out; to create forever.

A lot of the people who live here have the same passion. They'll do anything to stay. They're thrilled with a job that might depress them in another location. They'll minimize their space and purchases, paying more for location with proximity or a view that reminds them of why they're here.

So here I am – 121 days – one third of my adventure and starting to feel the pressure to pick up the pace so I can survive. So I can stay here indefinitely. It's a curious combination of pressure and ease. The perfect space for creative motivation. Enough of a challenge to take some risks and push myself, but not enough to feel desperation. It's like I see the tides rising but I'm not standing on top of my roof screaming for rescue.

Do I believe as Emerson suggests – that the universe will conspire to help make it happen? If I'm destined to be here, absolutely. If I'm meant to move on, then, well, that's the path I'll end up taking.